Geoff Chutter of WhiteWater named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2019 Pacific winner
BC entrepreneur slides into global markets to expand operations and make fun more accessible
VANCOUVER, Oct. 4 2019 /CNW/ - Geoff Chutter, President and CEO of WhiteWater — a leading global designer and manufacturer of water park products and family attractions — is this year's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 Pacific winner.
Geoff's entrepreneurial journey began in 1980 when he purchased 18 acres of park in Penticton, BC to build one of North America's first waterslide parks. Facing initial challenges purchasing slides, he was quick to collaborate with a local engineering firm and fiberglass manufacturer to achieve his vision. Now, WhiteWater is the largest global designer of water parks and the biggest manufacturer of water park products — from surf machines on the back of cruise ships, to huge water play structures you see in renowned entertainment theme parks.
"Just like its slides, WhiteWater has had its own ups and downs, but it's the way that Geoff positively approaches challenges head-on with perseverance and a true entrepreneurial spirit, that really impressed the judges," says Lui Petrollini, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific Program Director. "When an economic downturn comes knocking, consumer discretionary spending is typically the first to go. But Geoff didn't let this stop him in the early 2000s. Instead, he turned it into an opportunity and has made WhiteWater a force to be reckoned with ever since."
Over the last 14 years, WhiteWater has seen 185% growth. In part, credited to WhiteWater's global focus, opening offices in emerging markets ahead of competitors to give the company a first-player advantage. Another factor in Geoff's success can be tied to his purpose-driven leadership and commitment to providing a positive, safe and collaborative work environment.
Geoff also fosters a culture of giving back at WhiteWater by supporting Thanks for Giving and Give Kids the World Run and personally supporting Covenant House in Vancouver as the Treasurer and Chair of the Development Committee. But his global impact is perhaps best summarized by the number of global projects — approximately 200 a year in 30 countries — WhiteWater completes to provide more accessible water fun to millions around the world.
Also recognized at the gala was David Katz of Plastic Bank with a Special Citation Award for Social Entrepreneurship. The company uses blockchain technology to convert ocean waste into currency, helping to reduce two of the world's biggest problems: pollution and poverty.
What's next?
As the Pacific region's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019, Geoff will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Prairies, Ontario, Québec and Atlantic regions for the national honour of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 Canada, to be presented at a gala celebration on 28 November 2019 in Toronto. In June 2020, Canada's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 will move to the world stage to compete with more than 50 country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
More information
Follow @EYCanada and #EOYPacific on Twitter for the latest event updates. Visit ey.com/ca/EOY for more program details and a complete list of category finalists and gala dates in other regions.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 Pacific category award recipients:
Business Disrupter
First West Capital | Vancouver
Kristi Miller
Business-to-Business
WhiteWater | Richmond
Geoff Chutter
Consumer Products and Services
Otter Co-op | Surrey
Jack Nicholson
Emerging Entrepreneur
SmartSweets | Vancouver
Tara Bosch
Environmental Products and Services
Clevest | Burnaby
Thomas Ligocki
Food and Beverage
Warehouse Group | Vancouver
Dan Wilson, Kyle Tweter
Natural Resources and Energy
San Group | Langley
Kamal Sanghera, Suki Sanghera
Social Impact
tentree | Vancouver
Arthur Kononuk, David Luba, Derrick Emsley, Kalen Emsley, Stephen Emsley
Technology
Galvanize | Vancouver
Laurie Schultz
Special Citation: Social Entrepreneur
Plastic Bank | Vancouver
David Katz
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. ey.com/ca/EOY
The 2019 Pacific independent judging panel consists of Ali Pejman, Partner, Fort Capital Partners; Cathy Thorpe, CEO, Nurse Next Door; Jill Earthy, Head of Growth, Female Funders; Keith Spencer, Partner, FASKEN; Marsha Walden, CEO, Destination British Columbia; Rob McCurdy, CEO, Pinnacle Renewable Energy; and Sacha McLean, Vice Chairman, The McLean Group.
This year's program national sponsors are The Globe and Mail Inc., ICI RDI, TMX Group, Air Canada, Media One Creative and The Printing House Limited. Pacific regional sponsors are BCBusiness, Canadian Western Bank, Captivate Networks, Hunt Personnel/Temporarily Yours and LEONE Luxury Fashion.
About EY
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SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)
Sarah Shields, [email protected], +1 604 891 8235; Victoria McQueen, [email protected], +1 416 943 3141; Camille Larivière, [email protected], +1 514 879 8021
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